The Lesser of Two Evils

Genetic engineering is an extremely controversial subject. There are definite pros and cons to producing genetically modified organisms. Johnathan Rauch holds the belief that, despite the potential cons genetic engineering may present, it will be the strategy that will eventually save us from starvation and repair the environment. He poses compelling reasons for why genetic modification is beneficial to not only humans, but also the environment and other organisms that that inhabit the earth. Rauch gives examples such as how creating Round up ready soybeans and other plants that do not require the soil to be tilled to grow saves the soil from destruction. Such a practice allows the natural underground ecosystem to be restored to land that was once not able to be used due to destruction caused by farming. Creating plants that produce their own pesticides that are only harmful to insects that eat them reduces the amount of harmful pesticides used, which would eventually harm other organisms by being washed into waterways or absorbed into the soil. The major benefit as far as humans are concerned is that genetically engineering food sources likely has the ability to feed many more people on the planet as the production of these plants is greater.

All of these examples make genetically modified organisms seem like our magical cure for many of the problems in the world. Rauch does a good job in pointing out that it is not a cure only one of several treatments that should be used together to correct the problems. He addresses some problems that may arise from the production of genetically modified organisms such as the creation of "superweeds" that can grow in any environment and will out compete any natural plants. What Rauch fails to address is some of the greater costs that may arise from genetic engineering. Mae-Wan Ho addresses the major concern that genetic engineering can lead to the accidental creation of new strains of bacteria that are antibiotic resistant. If this occurs with a particular pathogen and we cannot treat it, it is possible it could wipe out a large portion of the human race and we would be left defenseless.

We know very little about what introducing foreign genes into the genome of an organism does to that organism, which is a problem in itself, but we do know that the occurrence horizontal gene transfer, "the transfer of genes to unrelated species" (489)does increase in organisms that have been genetically altered. This could have horrifying side effects not only for humans, but for entire ecosystems. It is a case of the lesser of two evils. If we do not use genetic engineering people may starve if we cannot utilise other ways to increase food production. However, if we do continue to use genetically modified organisms we may breed a pathogen that could decimate most of the human race. It is wise to postpone using genetically modified organisms until we are certain that they do not have the potential to do more harm than good.